Bahrain F1 test long runs reveal early pecking order

While McLaren's Lando Norris set the fastest headline lap time on the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, the more telling long-run data suggests Red Bull and Ferrari may hold the early advantage. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc focused on heavy stint-running in the afternoon, posting the most consistent and impressive lap averages, hinting at strong race pace for the season opener.

Why it matters:

Testing lap times are famously deceptive, but consistent long-run pace is one of the most reliable early indicators of genuine car performance. The data from these extended stints provides the first real clues about which teams have managed to translate their winter development into a car that can maintain speed over a race distance, setting the narrative for the opening rounds.

The details:

• Red Bull's Consistency: Max Verstappen completed multiple long runs on all three tyre compounds (Soft, Medium, Hard). His averages were the fastest of the day, and crucially, his stints required no laptimes to be discarded as outliers, showing remarkable consistency from the RB20.
• Ferrari's Strong Pace: Charles Leclerc also dedicated the afternoon to long runs, with his best soft-tyre average placing him fourth overall. The SF-24 showed promising pace, slotting in behind the Red Bulls but ahead of most of the field.
• McLaren's Mixed Program: While Norris topped the timing sheets with a blistering single lap, McLaren's program leaned more toward shorter runs. Their best long-run averages placed them further down the order, though this may not reflect their ultimate race pace.
• Mercedes & Audi's Runs: Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli managed a solid run on hard tyres before a car issue limited running. Nico Hülkenberg logged a massive 21-lap soft tyre stint for Audi, showing reliability but with lap times over a second off Verstappen's best.
• Notable Absences: Several teams provided little to no meaningful long-run data. Racing Bulls, Aston Martin, and Haas focused on other programs, while Alpine and Williams' best averages were well off the pace set by the top teams.

What's next:

The true picture will become clearer over the next two days of testing as teams refine their setups and conduct more race simulations. However, the initial long-run data firmly places Red Bull and Ferrari as the teams to watch, validating the winter speculation about their progress. While McLaren's one-lap speed is undeniable, the consistent race pace shown by their rivals sets an intriguing benchmark for the season ahead.